"Good thing I like you then."
"Just like me?"
"Love. I love you." Riley's smile was soft. "And I can't wait to marry you."
"When?" Grant asked. "I know people usually wait a year or whatever, but?—"
"I don't want to wait a year." Riley's eyes sparkled. "Spring? Early summer?"
"Yeah?" Grant's heart soared.
"Yeah. I want to marry you as soon as possible. Why wait when we already know?"
Grant kissed her, pouring everything he felt into it. When they broke apart, both breathing hard, Riley was grinning.
"So that's it then," she said. "We're engaged."
"We're engaged."
"No more fake."
"Never was."
"Just real."
"Forever real."
Riley laughed. "We should probably get back inside before Hannah sends a search party."
"Probably." But Grant didn't let go. "One more minute. I just want to stand here with my fiancée and appreciate this moment."
"Your fiancée," Riley repeated, her voice full of wonder. "I like the sound of that."
"Me too." Grant pulled her closer. "Almost as much as I'm going to like calling you my wife."
"Mrs. Riley Lawson."
"Has a nice ring to it."
"Terrible pun."
"You love my puns."
"I really don't." But Riley was smiling. "But I love you, so I guess I'll have to put up with them."
"For the rest of your life."
"For the rest of my life," Riley agreed, and kissed him again.
Inside, the party continued. Their friends and family celebrated, the music played on, and Pine Valley rang in another holiday season with joy and laughter and love.
But outside, under the stars, Grant held Riley close and thought about how far they'd come. From high school sweethearts to exes to fake dates to this—engaged, building a life together, planning a future.
It had taken ten years, a fake dating scheme, and a whole lot of complications to get here.
But standing here now, with Riley in his arms and a wedding in their future, Grant knew it had all been worth it.
Every moment. Every mistake. Every second.
